![]() ![]() Impact of the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains ![]() “The three new properties are among 180 individual tracts that have been purchased since the 1960s,” writes the LA Times, the organization that originally broke this story. The final chunk is a 40-acre plot of land that was donated to the NPS by Arnold Schwarzenegger (former Terminator and California Governor - in that order) and Betty Weider, a fitness pioneer. Two of those three, parcels along the Etz Meloy Motorway, were recently purchased by the NPS, who expects the escrow to close within the next 10 days. The trail was still incomplete, though, because of a three small plots of land that the trail winds through, all of which were owned privately. For the last few years 65 miles of the Backbone Trail were hike-able and in the right hands. The National Park Service (NPS) has worked with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to gather the land necessary as it became available. The often debated 67 mile idea has cut through a huge number of public and private lands over the years, and only as the State Parks were established did the potential for this trail become a possibility. History of the Backbone TrailĪs they say, it takes a village. There’s rarely a level stretch as it climbs and winds through Point Magu State Park, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Malibu Creek State Park, Cold Creek Canyon Preserve, Topanga Sate Park, and Will Rogers State Historic Park. The Backbone Trail rises and falls from sea level to Sandstone Peak at 3,111 feet. For those not familiar with Southern California geography, this means a decent thru-hike now exists from the legendary Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County all the way to heart of Santa Monica and Los Angeles. The Backbone Trail is a 67 mile stretch of trail that extends from the Ray Miller Trailhead in Point Mugu State Park to the trailhead in Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles. The trail still needs a fair amount of work before the public can thru-hike officially. Keep in mind that “complete” does not mean “hike-able”. That’s because it has been an idea and not a full trail for the last five decades. Never heard of the Backbone Trail? No worries. Not only was it the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, but it will be remembered as the day the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains was completed. Also, you’ll soon notice a seasonal stream running below you to your left and a wall separating you from private residences to your right.Home Blog The 67 Mile Backbone Trail Is Completeī - Yesterday, May 26, 2016, was a celebration of sorts. Once again, the ecosystem changes as eucalyptus trees now dominate your hike. 0.5 miles later, you’ll hit a straightaway. Then, at 6 miles once again take a left and onto the Rivas Canyon Trail to find your first and only significant section of switchbacks. Hiking through this exposed area gives you near-constant gorgeous views of the world below.Īt 5.5 miles you’ll head left and leave the ridgeline. This segment of the trail also contains sections that require scrambling and others that force you to navigate through dense foliage. Stay to the right to continue hiking on the correct path. Note that there are several offshoot paths. ![]() Once you’re recharged and ready to go, you will head south along the ridgeline for the next 1.7 miles. ![]() Downtown LA was visible for most of our hike along the High Point Trail. ![]()
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